AMES – Matt Campbell took to the podium Tuesday in Ames to address media members ahead of Saturday’s Big 12 Conference championship game between Iowa State and Arizona State (11:00 a.m. ABC).
The Cyclones will line up across from one of the league’s top offenses, even though the Sun Devils will be without star wide receiver Jordyn Tyson.
“They’re dynamic,” Campbell said. “I think they, they have such a unique ability to put the pressure on the defense in every way, shape and form. And obviously, you never want to lose a good football player this time of year. But I think good football teams have great players, and they certainly got a collection of those guys.”
Arizona State is headlined by running back Cam Skattebo. The senior has rushed for 1,398 yards this season on 247 carries – that’s good for eighth in the country.
He’s impressed Campbell enough to draw a comparison to David Montgomery, the former Cyclone tailback blazing through NFL defenses every week.
“The respect that I would have – the last guy I feel like I watch run the ball like this was David Montgomery,” Campbell said. “I just think the passion that he has the ability to run the football with… He’s dynamic in terms of his skill to run away from you, but also this unbelievable electric power to run through you.”
Skattebo has rushed for 147 yards or more in six of the Sun Devils’ 12 games this season.
Against Mississippi State, he ended with a season-best 262, and that all goes without his 13.4 yards per catch average.
“Any time you see a guy play the game of football the way it should be played, man, you have just an utmost respect for him,” Campbell said. “He’s just a really impressive football player. I think everybody in our program has the utmost respect for his ability like I said, not only as a runner, but also as a pass catcher, and what he can do in space. It’s really awesome to watch, and it’ll be a great challenge for us.”
Along with Skattebo, Arizona State poses Sam Leavitt at the quarterback position.
The redshirt freshman has burst onto the college football scene, throwing for 2,444 yards with 21 touchdowns and just five interceptions in his second year on the field.
“And then you know, you’ve got championship level quarterback play,” Campbell said. “And I think (Arizona State has) got that. I mean, I’ve just been so impressed with their his ability to control the offense, to really put the offense in really advantageous situations to be successful. (It will) be a great challenge for us defensively, for sure.”
Campbell has some familiarity with Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham, who came to Ames to study the program while he was an offensive coordinator at Auburn.
“Kenny’s obviously a dynamic young football coach and there was relationships with him through his coaching career, as he’s continued ascend,” Campbell said. “I’m really happy for him. They’ve done a tremendous job, to be quite honest with you. Him and his staff got a lot to be proud of. He’s got some great football coaches on his staff as well that we’ve got really good relationships with.”
The pair of coaches will face off Saturday, just five years after Dillingham’s visit in Ames, for the Big 12 Conference championship and a spot in the College Football Playoff.
“But, there’s just a lot of respect, from my standpoint, for him and what he’s been able to accomplish as man, a young head football coach,” Campbell said. “Being in those same shoes not long ago, you have appreciation for somebody. And the spirit his football team plays with, you can tell they believe in their head football coach and their coaching staff.”
